Abstract

This paper give a critical review of strategy participation, thinking and strategic leadership. We argue that the participation by different people in bringing out strategies could be the most important area that needs continual attention. Firstly, we review the major debates that have dominated the practice of strategy including definitions, planning versus thinking and the actors in formation of strategies. We locate the role of leadership and how participant might influence and be influenced. The authors take a great risk to propose a 'strategy participant model' for understanding key processes and participants that brings about strategies in a typical organisation. Finally, the suggested model is linked to how concepts of leadership, innovation and change might be located and integrated in strategy.